Our Mission

Call to Action

After a few decades of steady decline, the Church is beginning to see a rise in vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Just a quick scan of the media and news across the world tells us that we all would benefit from more men who are dedicated to the service of Christ and the Church. Well-formed, holy men are needed now more than ever.

Through the grace of the Holy Spirit, the Augustinians are currently witnessing an influx of new vocations, the likes of which the Order has not seen in decades. We stand, therefore, together with you at a decisive point in the history of the Church, in the history of an Order, and in the history of a Province that, less than a decade ago, looked as though it might close.

Our Province has a firm commitment to never turn away a vocation because of financial concerns. If you agree with this, then we ask you to join us in being a part of this vital campaign.

Together we can take part in a renaissance of vocations and make an investment in the Church and the future of the Augustinians for generations to come.

Who We Are

We are a religious community, following in the footsteps of St. Augustine. We are, thus, courageous leaders and humble servants, who have shaped the Catholic Church for eight centuries.

Since 1905, the Midwest Augustinians have collectively committed over 7,000 years of living out the Augustinian values of Truth, Unity, and Love.

Today, we continue that legacy of service as teachers, pastors, missionaries, hospital chaplains, and more. Our primary charism of as an Order is community, following the instruction of St. Augustine:

“The main reason for your coming together is to be of one mind and one heart on the way to God.”

Looking to the Future

Supporting our Vocations

For the first time in our history, the Saint Augustine Friary in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago reached full capacity. The friary houses our students in formation as they earn their Masters of Divinity or Masters of Arts in Theology. Today, 17 student friars reside at the Saint Augustine Friary, with five more spending a required year in pastoral ministry in other communities.

We face the challenge of the cost of caring for, forming, educating, feeding, clothing, housing, and providing healthcare for our men in formation.

Continuing our Vocation Outreach Program

Fr. Tom McCarthy, O.S.A., has been directing the vocations outreach program since 2008. This robust and successful program has played a large role in the rise in vocations. Financially supporting this program is crucial to maintaining high numbers of vocations and ensuring that our schools and parishes remain truly Augustinian in virtue and practice.

The combined cost of supporting our vocations and funding the outreach program is $850,000 each year, totaling $2.5 million over a 3 year period.

Securing our Future

Looking forward, we must continue to provide for incoming vocations and ensure a continued presence of Augustinians in our parishes and schools. Establishing an endowment would provide enduring stability and financial strength, ensuring that we are able to sustain the growth in our vocations, support our men in formation, and secure the future of the Midwest Augustinians.